Understanding What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Burning Sensation in Hands?

October 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to nerve damage and cause a tingling or burning sensation in the hands and feet. Understanding what vitamin deficiency causes burning sensation in hands is crucial for early detection and treatment of nerve-related issues like peripheral neuropathy.

Quick Summary

Burning sensations in the hands are often linked to deficiencies in key B vitamins, especially B12 and B6, which are vital for nerve health. Diagnosis requires a professional evaluation and addressing the nutritional imbalance is key.

Key Points

B12 Deficiency is a Major Cause: Inadequate vitamin B12 can lead to peripheral neuropathy, manifesting as a burning or tingling sensation in the hands and feet due to nerve damage.
Both Excess and Lack of B6 Can Cause Neuropathy: Nerve damage can result from both a deficiency and an overdose of vitamin B6, with high-dose supplements being a common cause of toxicity.
Burning Sensation is Paresthesia: Medically, this symptom is known as paresthesia, which indicates impaired nerve function often related to B-vitamin levels.
Diagnosis is Crucial: Due to the varied causes and risks of vitamin imbalance, professional medical diagnosis through blood tests is essential before starting any treatment.
Nutritional Strategy is Key: Ensuring sufficient intake of B12 from animal products or fortified foods, while carefully managing B6 levels, is critical for nerve health.
Other B-Vitamins Can Be Involved: While less frequent, deficiencies in B1 (thiamine) and B5 (pantothenic acid) can also lead to similar neuropathic symptoms.

A burning sensation in the hands, medically known as paresthesia, is a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the nervous system. While a pinched nerve or certain medical conditions are common causes, a deficiency in specific vitamins is a significant and often overlooked culprit. This article delves into the nutritional causes of this discomfort, focusing on how a lack of certain B vitamins can trigger a painful burning sensation.

The Critical Role of B Vitamins in Nerve Health

The B-complex vitamins are a family of water-soluble nutrients that play a central role in nerve health and function. Deficiencies in these vitamins can disrupt the intricate network of the nervous system, leading to various neurological symptoms, including paresthesia. Among the eight B vitamins, B12 and B6 are most directly associated with peripheral neuropathy, which manifests as tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the extremities.

The Primary Culprit: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is arguably the most critical B vitamin when it comes to preventing nerve damage. It is essential for the production of myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. When B12 levels are low, this myelin sheath can break down, leaving nerves exposed and vulnerable to damage. The resulting peripheral neuropathy often starts with a burning or tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Other symptoms of a B12 deficiency can include:

Extreme fatigue and weakness
Difficulty with balance and coordination (ataxia)
Memory loss and cognitive difficulties
A swollen, inflamed tongue
Anemia

The Dual-Threat: Vitamin B6 Imbalance

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is also crucial for nerve function, aiding in neurotransmitter production. Interestingly, both too little and too much B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. While deficiency is rare and often associated with other B vitamin deficiencies, it can lead to nerve inflammation and burning pain. On the other hand, excessive intake of B6, typically from high-dose supplements, is a well-documented cause of nerve damage. Symptoms of B6 toxicity often include a painful burning sensation, numbness, and difficulty walking.

The Supporting Cast: Other B Vitamins

While less common, deficiencies in other B vitamins can also contribute to nerve-related issues. For instance, severe deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine), often linked to chronic alcoholism, can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Similarly, a rare pantothenic acid (B5) deficiency can cause numbness and a burning sensation in the hands and feet.

Diagnosing the Cause of Burning Hands

Experiencing a burning sensation in your hands should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. The cause is not always nutritional, and self-treating with supplements without a clear understanding of the underlying issue can be ineffective or even harmful, especially in the case of B6.

Diagnostic steps often include:

Medical History and Symptom Review: A doctor will discuss your diet, lifestyle, and symptoms to assess potential risk factors.
Blood Tests: These are crucial for measuring vitamin B12, B6, and other nutrient levels.
Neurological Examination: Testing reflexes, balance, and sensation can help identify the extent of nerve involvement.

Nutritional Strategies for Nerve Health

Correcting a diagnosed vitamin deficiency is often the first step in treatment. This can involve dietary changes, supplementation, or in severe cases, injections, especially for B12.

Increase Vitamin B12 Intake: Focus on animal products like meat, fish (salmon, tuna), poultry, eggs, and dairy. For vegans or those with malabsorption, fortified cereals and nutritional yeast are essential.
Balance Vitamin B6 Intake: Ensure sufficient dietary sources like chickpeas, beef liver, tuna, salmon, bananas, and fortified grains. If supplementing, follow medical advice to avoid toxicity.
Maintain Overall B-Vitamin Levels: A balanced diet rich in whole foods, including leafy greens, legumes, and lean proteins, will support a healthy nervous system.

B12 vs. B6: Key Differences in Peripheral Neuropathy


Feature	Vitamin B12 Deficiency Neuropathy	Vitamin B6 Imbalance Neuropathy
Cause	Primarily due to deficiency (e.g., diet, malabsorption)	Can be caused by either deficiency or, more commonly, excess intake via supplements
Mechanism	Breakdown of the myelin sheath protecting nerves	Damage to sensory neurons or nerve inflammation
Progression	Can develop slowly over time, symptoms intensifying gradually	Can be linked to supplement intake and may improve upon cessation
Key Symptoms	Burning, tingling, weakness, cognitive issues, fatigue	Burning, tingling, numbness, difficulty walking
Risk of Irreversibility	Untreated deficiency can lead to irreversible nerve damage	Continued exposure to high doses can cause permanent nerve damage

Conclusion: Prioritizing Diagnosis Over Self-Treatment

A burning sensation in the hands is a clear sign that something is amiss with your body's nerve function, and a vitamin deficiency, particularly of B12 or B6, is a strong possibility. While dietary adjustments are a vital component of prevention and treatment, it is crucial to seek a medical diagnosis to identify the specific cause. This is especially important with B6, where excessive supplementation can worsen the very symptoms you are trying to alleviate. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any vitamin regimen to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your needs. Addressing the root cause with proper guidance offers the best chance for symptom relief and long-term nerve health.

Visit the Cleveland Clinic website for more information on the benefits and risks of vitamin B6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are the most common vitamin-related causes of burning hands. B12 deficiency is known to cause damage to the protective nerve sheath, while B6 imbalance (both too little and too much) can also harm nerves.

Yes, excessive intake of vitamin B6, typically from high-dose supplements, is a known cause of sensory peripheral neuropathy. This can lead to tingling, numbness, and a burning sensation in the hands and feet.

Vitamin B12 is essential for producing myelin, the protective coating around nerves. A deficiency causes this sheath to break down, leaving nerves vulnerable to damage and resulting in symptoms like a burning sensation.

Individuals at higher risk include vegans and vegetarians, older adults, those with malabsorption issues like pernicious anemia or Crohn's disease, and people who have had weight loss surgery.

Rich dietary sources of vitamin B12 include meat, poultry, fish (like salmon and clams), eggs, and dairy products. For vegans, fortified cereals and nutritional yeast are excellent alternatives.

Good food sources of vitamin B6 include fish (especially tuna and salmon), chickpeas, beef liver, potatoes, bananas, and fortified breakfast cereals.

You should not take B-complex supplements without consulting a doctor, as an overdose of vitamin B6 can cause neuropathy. A doctor can diagnose the specific deficiency and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may or may not involve supplements.